Chow chow, breed of dog that differs from most others in having a blue-black tongue. The breed originated in China and is known to date to the Han dynasty (206 bc–ad 220); it is believed by some to be one of the oldest of all breeds and is genetically very close to the wolf. The name chow chow is apparently derived from an English term used in the 19th century to refer to cargo from the Orient. The chow chow is built compactly, with a large head and a thick coat that forms a dense ruff about the neck. The tail curls over the back or to either side of it. The coat, which can be either smooth or rough, is evenly coloured in any of various shades, most commonly reddish brown, black, or blue-gray. The adult stands about 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 cm) and weighs 45 to 70 pounds (20 to 32 kg). Temperamentally, the breed is usually loyal to owners but reserved and aloof with strangers.

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domestic mammal of the family Canidae (order Carnivora). It is a subspecies of the gray wolf (C. lupus) and is related to foxes and jackals. The dog is one of the two most ubiquitous and popular domestic animals in the world (the cat is the other). For more than 12,000 years it has lived with...

the second great imperial dynasty of China (206 bce –220 ce) after the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 bce). It succeeded the Qin dynasty (221–207 bce). So thoroughly did the Han dynasty establish what was thereafter considered Chinese culture that “Han” became the Chinese...

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The chow chow is a breed of nonsporting dog known for its plush, lionlike mane and coat and for its unique black-pigmented tongue, lips, and gums; massive head, forehead wrinkles, and drooping eyes make dog appear to be scowling; coat is long, straight, and very dense and may be any solid color, such as black, red, or white; ears are small, erect, and rounded at tip; tail is very well feathered and curls loosely over the back in a plume; eyes are almond-shaped, deep-set, and dark brown; adult stands 18-20 in. (46-51 cm) tall at shoulders and weighs 50-60 lbs (23-27 kg); usually reserved and aloof with strangers but is loyal to its master; originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and served as a draft, guard, hunting, and flock dog; some dogs were raised expressly to be used as food by the Chinese, who fed them only grain; pelts were then made into clothing; chou is the Chinese word for "edible," and many experts agree that is where the breed got its name; once displayed in zoos as the wild dog of China.